Homebeech

Updated 3 December 2025

Date of assessment: 16 – 31 December 2025. Homebeech is a nursing home providing support to people with a variety of health conditions, some of whom are living with dementia and others with a learning disability and/or autism. This assessment was undertaken to follow-up on 3 breaches of regulation and concerns found at an earlier assessment which commenced on 8 May 2025.

We found 3 continued breaches of regulations relating to safe care and treatment, person-centred care and good governance.

We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

The processes for managing and mitigating risks to people were not sufficiently robust to ensure staff were fully informed about people in order to deliver safe care. Care plans were not sufficiently detailed in identifying and managing risks. There was a high use of agency staff and both permanent and agency staff were not always deployed to ensure people received prompt and timely care. Some parts of the home had not been closed off whilst building works were in progress which posed a risk to people. Infection prevention and control measures were insufficient.

For people with a learning disability and/or autism, their care and support had not been planned with them to deliver evidence-based good practice or positive outcomes. The implementation of audits and processes needed to be embedded and sustained over time to drive improvement.

People were protected from the risk of abuse or harm by trained staff who understood how to keep people safe. Recruitment systems ensured only suitably experienced and skilled staff were employed. Medicines were managed safely. Consent to care and treatment was gained lawfully.

Staff felt supported and able to speak about any concerns with senior staff or the management team. Complaints were logged and actions taken were recorded.

At the end of the inspection, the provider told us that issues found as part of this assessment were being addressed.

In instances where CQC have decided to take civil or criminal enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded.

Updated 3 December 2025

People had conflicting views about the staffing levels at Homebeech. One person said, “It’s generally good, but they’re slightly short-staffed. You can push the call button and wait 20 or 30 minutes.” However, another person told us, “There’s quite a lot of staff, you don’t wait.” Similar responses were given when people were asked about the cleanliness of the home. Some felt the home was clean, whilst others felt there was room for improvement. People received their medicines from trained staff. One person said, “They bring my medicines around and they watch me take them.”

People were supported to live healthier lives and had access to healthcare professionals. There were few positive comments about the meals on offer, and many people said the food was cold. One person said, “It’s not very good; there’s nothing exciting and it’s always cold.”

Activities were not always planned to take account of people’s interests or hobbies. Activity planners for people with a learning disability or autistic people were not personalised. Call bells and people’s needs were responded to promptly.

Care was not always person-centred but task led. The physical environment at Homebeech was neither dementia-friendly nor focused on the needs of people with a learning disability or autistic people. People, including their loved ones, were supported to plan for the future, including their end of life wishes.

We asked people whether they had seen any improvements since the last assessment. One person said, “They did put new tables in the lounge.”